Working In Tech

On this episode, we chat with Danisha Chery, a passionate #UXDesigner dedicated to crafting intuitive digital banking experiences. Transitioning from a freelance graphic designer to a UX enthusiast, Danisha’s journey revolves around merging aesthetics with functionality. With a foundation in visual design, she now crafts meaningful user experiences that seamlessly blend form and purpose. Embracing the dynamic shift, she currently designs at Alkami Technology where she is able to bring a unique perspective to UX, driven by a passion for both creativity and user-centric solutions. Before pivoting into tech, Danisha gained valuable insight into user needs through her start at Apple, where she learned how to address customer pain points and make user-centric decisions. While working, she also attended Florida International University where she earned the highest level of distinction, Summa Cum Laude, graduating at the top 5% of her class. Armed with a bachelor's degree in communications, her dedication to academic excellence reflects her commitment to mastering the art of being an effective communicator whilst comprehending user needs thoroughly enough to convey design choices. Tune in as Danisha shares her journey transitioning into UX design, keys to understanding user pain points, and advice for bringing engaging designs to life. Get ready to gain actionable lessons in bridging creativity and code! CONNECT WITH ME Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/juwonthetechie/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/JuwonTheTechie Threads: https://www.threads.net/@juwonthetechie IG: https://www.instagram.com/juwonthetechie/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juwon-io/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@juwonthetechie CONNECT WITH DANISHA LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/danishachery/ CHAPTERS 0:00 - Intro 2:48 - Why Tech? 9:11 - College Degrees & Career Progression 14:55 - Landing Her First Role 34:08 - Entry Level Experience 37:17 - The Next Move 48:09 - Collaboration and Networking 49:42 - Emerging Trends in UX Design 51:08 - A.I in UX Design 52:55 - Measuring Success in UX Design 54:18 - Dealing with Stakeholders 57:00 - Certifications 1:00:55 - Best Portfolio Projects 1:02:25 - Final Words 1:03:35 - Conclusion

On this episode, we chat with Christopher Leveston, an IT professional who charted his own path to become a #NetworkEngineer. Armed with an array of certifications including CCNA, AWS Cloud Practitioner, Microsoft Azure Fundamentals, #CompTIA Network+, and Security+, Marlon demonstrates how drive trumps college degrees. Through continuous learning and leveraging opportunities, he has become a formidable talent in securing organizations' critical systems and networks. Tune in as Christopher shares his journey of mastering the network engineering stack on his own terms. We’ll unpack proven advice for landing that first IT role, choosing the right certs, standing out without a CS degree, and excelling as a self-made leader. Packed with actionable tips from Christopher's climb up the ranks, this episode will help you chart your own path to success in the tech industry. CONNECT WITH ME: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/juwonthetechie/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/JuwonTheTechie Threads: https://www.threads.net/@juwonthetechie IG: https://www.instagram.com/juwonthetechie/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juwon-io/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@juwonthetechie CONNECT WITH CHRISTOPHER: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherleveston94/ Twitter: https://x.com/DataBunnyLLC CHAPTERS 0:00 - Intro 2:15 - From Package Handling to Tech 7:30 - Landing the First Role 16:45 - Importance of Certifications 21:25 - Networking Certifications 26:15 - Teaching 37:47 - Non-technical into Tech 42:57 - Certification Exam Prep 45:30 - Mistakes to Avoid 47:30 - Building a Brand 51:38 - Entry-level Networking Jobs 58:13 - Personal Branding 1:03:45 - Final Words 1:05:18 - Conclusion

On this episode, we chat with Diondria Brown, a #ProgramManager who pivoted from social work into tech as a #TechSupport Specialist at Apple. She then took on the role of Senior Solutions Consultant at a contact center software company, spearheading innovative solutions and strategic partnerships over 4.5 years with a focus on AI. Diondria holds an MBA from Indiana Tech along with a bachelor’s in social work from Indiana University Bloomington. Currently the Secretary for Young Professional Toastmasters of Houston, she’s demonstrated leadership across tech and community organizations. During her time at Genesys, Diondria was on the leadership team for the Black ERG, driving inclusion and advocacy. Hailing from Gary, Indiana, she now thrives in Houston, seamlessly blending technological expertise, and education, and fostering inclusive communities. Tune in as Diondria shares her journey pivoting into tech, driving change on ERG teams, and insights on integrating passion projects with your career. This episode is filled with lessons for making major moves with purpose. Connect with me: FB: https://www.facebook.com/juwonthetechie/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/JuwonTheTechie Threads: https://www.threads.net/@juwonthetechie IG: https://www.instagram.com/juwonthetechie/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juwon-io/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@juwonthetechie Connect with Diondria: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diondria-brown-mba-18241017a/ CHAPTERS 0:00 - Intro 2:45 - Transitioning into Tech 12:15 - Seeing What’s Possible 17:50 - Networking 22:50 - Soft Skills 26:00 - Debunking Tech Myths 32:21 - Identifying Transferable Skills 36:05 - Finding a Mentor 43:48 - Advice for New Techies 47:45 - Being Visible 51:39 - Career Path 54:25 - What is CCaaS Technology? 59:45 - Final Words

This week on "Working In Tech", I'll be chatting with Arit, a Software Engineer at PayPal who transitioned to tech from a non-tech background. Arit became a software engineer at 38, after being a homemaker with 2 kids for 6+ years and a public-health analyst before that. At PayPal, she's helping drive the adoption of the company's financial products. Arit is active in the Tech community, supporting those who are pivoting careers to software engineering, particularly Black women and mothers. CONNECT WITH ME: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/juwonthetechie/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/JuwonTheTechie Threads: https://www.threads.net/@juwonthetechie IG: https://www.instagram.com/juwonthetechie/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juwon-io/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@juwonthetechie CONNECT WITH ARIT: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aritdeveloper/ Blog: https://www.arit.dev/ CHAPTERS 0:00 - Intro 1:22 - Why Tech? 5:19 - Motivation to Learn Coding 8:24 - Staying Positive and Persistent 17:30 - Getting The First Role 23:55 - Dealing with Rejection 29:10 - Choosing A Tech Stack to Learn 33:25 - Top 3 Skills 46:30 - Importance of the First Role 54:14 - Presenting Tech to Non-Tech Audiences 57:10 - Importance of Networking 1:00:10 - Building Your Communication Skills 1:04:42 - Final Words 1:06:33 - Conclusion

On this episode, we chat with Neda Sefati, a #ProductManager, UX Designer, Customer Success, and #TechSupport Specialist who has infused technology with humanity through her 15+ years of diverse tech industry experience. With expertise spanning IT, telecom, EdTech, consulting, and video-on-demand at startups and large companies, Neda lives at the intersection of tech and empathy. She specializes in product management, UI/UX design, and customer support. Through over 6,000 customer interviews, Neda has mastered understanding unique needs to create tailored solutions focused on users. Guided by principles of team empowerment, embracing uncertainty, and balancing inputs/outputs, she leads with tech approaches rooted in human connection. Tune in as Neda shares her journey, advice on elevating products with compassion, leading with resilience, and insights on bringing strategic vision to life. This episode provides product managers an inside look at fusing innovation with heart and soul. Connect with me: Facebook:   / juwonthetechie   Twitter:   / juwonthetechie   Threads: https://www.threads.net/@juwonthetechie IG:   / juwonthetechie   LinkedIn:   / juwon-io   Tiktok:   / juwonthetechie   Connect with Neda: LinkedIn:   / nedasefati   CHAPTERS 0:00 - Intro 3:02 - Why Tech? 4:15 - Professional Background 6:12 - Landing the First Role 8:00 - Why Startups? 9:18 - Most Rewarding Experience 15:45 - Strategic Career Moves 25:45 - Investing in Others 27:55 - Patience, Grit, and Persistence 37:43 - UX Experience 38:51 - Elements of a Great Survey 43:09 - Balancing Business and Technical Constraints 46:10 - Communicating Design to Non-designers 52:10 - Coding in UX Design 54:55 - Picking a Career 1:04:17 - Conclusion

This week on Working in Tech, we will chat with Jasmine Ohen, a Programs and Community Architect empowering women entrepreneurs. With over 6 years of experience founding startups and supporting fellow innovators, Jasmine spearheads strategic planning and programs for digitalundivided - a nonprofit fueling economic growth for Black and Latina female founders. Previously a professional dancer, Jasmine brings a creative lens to solving complex challenges and inspiring women to turn passions into profits. Her work has gained widespread recognition, including a 2023 Women Entrepreneur of the Year nomination. On the show, Jasmine shares her journey, from entrepreneurship to program management. #ProgramManager #WorkingInTech #founder Connect with me: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/juwonthetechie/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/JuwonTheTechie Threads: https://www.threads.net/@juwonthetechie IG: https://www.instagram.com/juwonthetechie/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juwon-io/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@juwonthetechie Connect with Jasmine: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasmineohen/ Website: https://www.jasmineohen.com/ CHAPTERS 0:00 - Intro 1:33 - Career Inspiration 3:18 - Growing Together In Marriage and Career 5:00 - From Dance to Tech 13:28 - Entrepreneurship Experience 19:05 - Impostor Syndrome 22:06 - Networking 28:24 - Skills 37:32 - Courses & Certifications 39:45 - Slowing Down 44:20 - Biggest Advice for Newbies 50:46 - Biggest Mistake 56:00 - A Decade From Now 59:28 - Finding A Support System 1:03:19 - Conclusion

This week, we chat with Olatunde Badmus, a passionate tech leader dedicated to helping professionals thrive. As a Senior Technical PM at Oracle, Olatunde draws from his diverse leadership experience, including founding the National Nigerian Student Association as a student He holds an Executive MBA, Master's in Computer Science, and certifications including PMP, Scrum Master, and Scrum Coach. On this episode, Olatunde unpacks his journey to tech leadership - from honing technical expertise to spearheading teams. He shares real-world advice on excelling as a program manager, empowering emerging talent, and lessons learned from his varied roles driving change. Tune into this edition of the stream as Olatunde reveals tangible tips to guide your career growth in tech! Connect with me: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/juwonthetechie/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/JuwonTheTechie Threads: https://www.threads.net/@juwonthetechie IG: https://www.instagram.com/juwonthetechie/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juwon-io/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@juwonthetechie CHAPTERS 0:00 - Intro 1:28 - Why Tech? 4:58 - Early Difficulties 6:18 - Landing the First Job & Interview Tips 14:03 - Networking 17:24 - Necessary Skills 22:44 - Salary Progression 23:50 - Certifications 28:00 - Biggest Mistake 30:52 - Adapting to New Roles 34:15 - Starting All Over Again 39:04 - Importance of Mentorship 46:00 - PMP Requirements 47:29 - Entering Mentorship Circles 53:12 - Handling Resistance to Change 57:00 - Finding Success With Communication 1:00:06 - Landing A Role Without Experience 1:03:35 - Conclusion

Our guest Chenae Erkerd (RecruiterCousin) pivoted into recruiting after earning degrees in law. After getting her start in healthcare recruiting, she broke into tech recruiting specializing in placing software engineers, product managers, and cybersecurity experts. Along her journey, Chenae has picked up invaluable tips for jobseekers looking to catch the eye of recruiters and hiring managers. With her recruiting experience and 100k+ LinkedIn followers, she has helped over 140 people secure interviews and job offers with life-changing salary increases. Chenae aims to motivate and inspire our community through her spoken word poetry and published books. Connect with me: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/juwonthetechie/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/JuwonTheTechie Threads: https://www.threads.net/@juwonthetechie IG: https://www.instagram.com/juwonthetechie/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juwon-io/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@juwonthetechie Chapters 0:00 - Introduction 1:18 - Why Tech? 6:42 - Getting the First Role 8:22 - Learning Technical Recruitment / Resources 15:55 - Mentorship and Empathy in Recruitment 20:38 - Interview Prep 25:08 - Early Career Challenges 30:25 - Biggest Reward 32:07 - Salary Progression 34:45 - Skills Needed 39:00 - Chenae’s Work as RecruiterCousin 44:37 - Success Stories 49:53 - Chenae’s Typical Day 52:45 - Unconventional Recruitment Strategies 55:38 - Balancing Tech Skills and Fit 56:49 - Reaching out to Recruiters 1:00:22 - Conclusion

This week we chat with Victor Bolofinde, a Senior Software Engineer specializing in big data infrastructure and engineering. He has been at Apple since 2022, he previously excelled at Marqeta and Visa, significantly contributing to software and infrastructure initiatives. Beginning at Osprey Zenith in Nigeria, he brings a rich Java and Spark focused background optimizing Hadoop and AWS environments. Resources: Educative.io - https://www.educative.io/ AlgoMonster - https://algo.monster/ Follow me guys: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/juwonthetechie/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/JuwonTheTechie Threads: https://www.threads.net/@juwonthetechie IG: https://www.instagram.com/juwonthetechie/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juwon-io/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@juwonthetechie CHAPTERS Intro - 0:00 Who is Victor Bolofinde? - 0:36 Why Tech? - 1:59 App Dev.t and Data Engineering - 4:50 From Nigeria to the U.S - 8:20 Overcoming the Learning Curve - 10:55 Resources - 14:11 Job Application Process - 16:40 The Importance of the First Role - 25:31 Doing It Without a Degree - 27:58 Salary Progression - 30:39 Salary Negotiation Strategies - 35:43 Importance of Certs - 38:13 Most Valuable Lesson - 40:35 Answering Technical Interview Questions - 42:24 Work Life Balance - 45:44 How to Build Portfolios - 47:40 How to Learn AWS and Spark - 48:51 Biggest Mistake - 51:01 Adapting to a Rapidly Changing Industry - 54:34 Starting All Over Again - 56:16 Conclusion - 1:01:57

This week we chat with Toye Osasona, an ERP IT Program Director with over 17 years of experience including Big 4 consulting roles. He's led full lifecycle #SAP implementations across supply chain management, order fulfillment, materials management, and more. With deep expertise spanning project inception to post-go-live support, Toye shares a masterclass in managing complex deployments. He holds an Executive MBA in MIS and Big Data Analytics, pursuing a PhD in Business Management. Tune in as Toye reveals his playbook to thrive as an SAP consultant through real-world case studies, mindsets for continuous advancement, and actionable advice to maximize career fulfillment in tech. To Sign-up for his SAP Masterclass, connect with Toye on LinkedIn @: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sapsdibitoyeosasona Follow me guys: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/juwonthetechie/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/JuwonTheTechie Threads: https://www.threads.net/@juwonthetechie IG: https://www.instagram.com/juwonthetechie/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juwon-io/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@juwonthetechie Timestamps Intro - 0:00 Why SAP? - 1:45 What Is SAP? - 3:46 Resources - 4:29 Job Application Process - 9:20 Early Career Challenges - 10:50 Asking the Right Questions - 14:12 The Most Rewarding Part of SAP - 15:12 Salary Progression and the Road to Six Figures - 17:27 Pathways into SAP - 19:15 Advice for Transitioning Pros - 23:00 Succeeding in SAP & Skills Necessary - 24:11 Work-Life Balance - 27:22 Courses & Certifications - 28:57 Networking - 30:30 Diversity in SAP - 32:17 Most Important Lesson - 35:17 Starting All Over - 37:08 Timing the Next Move - 40:00 Dealing with Technical Jargon - 41:14 Entry Level Roles - 44:10 Full Life Cycle SAP - 46:38 Motivation to Grow - 49:00 Common Misconceptions about SAP - 51:59 Using SAP in Smaller Companies or Startups - 53:39 Other Solutions in the Salesforce Space - 54:45 Implementing SAP in Smaller Startups - 55:56 Toye’s Training Program - 56:45 Conclusion - 59:24